Verdict · NHTSA data
A typical year for this model
The 1987 Ford F-150 sits mid-pack among F-150 years: 109 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 545, with 3 recalls and 2 closed investigations.
Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 43 reports (39% of the total).
109
NHTSA complaints
3
Recalls
2
Investigations
3
Crash-involved
49
Fires reported
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 43 | 39% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 24 | 22% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 10 | 9% | — flat |
| Tires & Wheels | 7 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 5 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Brakes | 5 | 5% | — flat |
| Speed Control | 4 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Steering | 2 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Other | 2 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 2 | 2% | — flat |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 1 | 1% | — flat |
| Trailer Hitch | 1 | 1% | new |
3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence
COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Remedy
INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
Defect
WHEEL LUG NUT CONE ANGLES DO NOT MATCH LUG NUT SEATING ANGLES.
Consequence
NUTS COULD LOOSEN IN SERVICE CREATING POTENTIAL FORWHEELS TO SEPARATE FROM TRUCK.
Remedy
REPAIR TO PREVENT LOOSENING OF LUG NUTS.
Defect
FRONT INNER WHEEL BEARINGS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN LUBRICATED ADEQUATELY AT TIME OF ASSEMBLY.
Consequence
IF THIS CONDITION WERE TO OCCUR, FRICTION WILL CAUSEPREMATURE DETERIORATION OF THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND STEERING CONTROL COULD BEAFFECTED ADVERSELY.
Remedy
INSPECT AND REPLACE ANY BEARING OR RACE SHOWING SIGNS OF GALLING OR HEAT SPOTS.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 60 MPH DOWN THE ROAD WHEN SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONSUMER STOPPED VEHICLE AND OPENED HOOD TO SEE IF THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE, BUT NO SMOKE FROM ENGINE. WHEN HE TRIED TO GET BACK INSIDE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE GOT ON FIRE AND BURNED…”
“DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL 87V139000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. THIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT HAS NOT REPAIRED THE…”
“CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, CONSUMER THEN PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES.( OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-89-278)”
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TREAD ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, CAUSING SLIGHT LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP,WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE SEPARATION.”
“THERE IS A CRACK LOCATED AT THE LEFT FRONT PORTION BEHIND THE STEERING BOX THAT GOES INTO THE FRAME BREAKING THE FRAME OFF. BOTH OF THE GAS TANKS ARE LEAKING AND A POSSIBLE FIRE CAN OCCUR.”
Its record is better than the model's norm: 109 NHTSA complaints, below the typical F-150 year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (43 complaints), fuel system (24 complaints), engine (10 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1987 Ford F-150. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-150 years to avoid are 2013, 1997, 2011, 2018, 2016, 2012, 2004, 2015, 2014, 2017, 2019, 1998, 2001, 2005, 1999, 2000, 2021, 2010, 2002, 1994, 2020. The cleanest record among F-150 years belongs to 1976.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.